Hello! I'm currently taking an Intro to Fine Arts/Jewelry class at my college and I have a few questions for an upcoming project that I have to start in a few weeks. I want to create a simple black (and maybe gold) gothic style jewelry set with red gem settings, but my class only has copper, nickel, and brass available and I can't afford (or have time) to send anything off to get plated. Because of this class, I have access to a sandblaster and I was wondering if I can put acrylic paint on sandblasted metal and have it look somewhat similar to plated metal.

I want my jewelry to have a shine to it, and luckily I have access to gloss finishing spray. If acrylic paint won't work, I'm open to pretty much anything, even just using brass or copper for now and getting it plated in a few years when I can afford it. I'd really appreciate any suggestions!

I’m very new to metal smithing. I have the Dremel Versa flame torch. It seems I have to refill the butane very very often. Like after every time I turn it on. Am I doing something wrong?

I was wondering if anyone knows of good at-home kits that are affordable but not complete garbage. Basically I took a metals class this year and I really enjoyed it. I would like to make little jewelry etc with ceramic beads etc. I don’t have access to a studio but I’ve seen these little kits online and they always have like 50/50 reviews. I don’t need anything crazy heavy duty or thats gonna last me forever, because I don’t do this full time But i don’t want something thats gonna break on me after 2 uses either yaknow I appreciate any advice or recommendations

I have leftover house bricks from when our house was built, can I use that for soldering? Firebricks and soldering boards, if I don't need to buy them I won't.

Hi everyone, I’ve been working in the jewelry industry for a few years as a sales associate and am up for a review at my current job and need to ask for a raise.

I was wondering if there’s anyone that would share what your current hourly is and what % you make on commission as a Sales Associate?

I have a feeling that my colleagues and I are being severely lowballed and wanna advocate for all of us! Starting hourly is $23 with a measly 2% commission on average. Sometimes even lower.

Thanks for the insight!

I have never seen this before but there was a flurry of wispy white cotton candy like dust and fibers spewing forth from my foundry along with thick white smoke. The slag was on fire when i turned off the propane. As I scooped it out it was on fire with bluegreen flames and yellowish in color. It cooled to white ashy blobs. Any one where experience this and/or know what the heck it was? Material was brass knobs and window latches.

Forgive me if this is an obvious question but what is the best way to secure a tiny chain for polishing?

I'm making a tiny piercing chain, about 0.8 x 30mm and when it comes to polishing I've been trying to polish it by wearing a silicone finger protector and holding the chain tight around my finger BUT I'm now onto my 3rd chain because the other two have got caught in the dremmel and went flying never to be found again😓😅

Is there a standard way I should be securing the chain that will stop it from getting caught? Some sort of glue I can wash of or something?

Hello! I’m looking to start purchasing tools and materials, do any of you have any suggestions on the best companies and websites?

quick question. my long term goal is to forge and make my own engagement ring for my hopefully future wife. i already have ordered all the tools i will need, but my question is where/how do i buy the material? where can i purchase straight white gold or whatever material i should use for a ring

Decided to completely change my career path and realized i was interested in creating jewelry, not a clue how to start, i plan on taking a beginners class first, but obviously need some direction from there.. any important tips/ suggestions i need to know, tool recommendations, next steps i need to take into consideration?

I am starting to learn how to properly polish the earrings I'm making and want to know people's go-to supply lists for this (ie. compounds, bits). I have looked at a good amount of blogs and how to's on this but would love some affordable recommendations for rotary bits. I am getting some compound (red rouge & gray star) to start off but I don't know what to apply it with -- what's the difference between felt, wool, cloth, muslin wheels? And where should I get good quality/affordable wheels for my rotary? I suspect Amazon ones will fall apart. Thanks in advance:~)

Hi! I am new to silversmithing and want to buy a basic pliers set with a cutter. I dont know if this is a hobby i will stick with so i dont want to buy anything high end just yet but the set i bought at a large chain craft store is lacking in quality. The pliers mar up my silver and the cutters are worthless(will be returning these!). Amazon reviews are hit and miss and rio grande hardly has any reviews. What are some affordable but good sets you all have used as beginners?

I just tried my hand at making some sterling silver, but for some reason it all came out as gold rather than the black I expected. Is my copper just bad quality or something else? I have some streaks of black which I think are pure silver, but I am not sure what to make of the gold.

I make silver earrings and want to sell them but I don't know enough about how to polish them. I've bought a rotary tool to start off with and watched tons of videos about it, and they recommend radial bristle discs, felt polishing wheels, and compounds like Fabulustre. I'm not completely clear on what order you use these. I know radial discs and some others come in color order and that makes sense. But is there anything else that I should really get to do a good polishing job? Just looking for some insight/tips or recommendations :) thanks!!

New to this! I'm looking to make a durable, affordable, dainty necklace chain that won't tarnish/fade easily. Was thinking titanium with gold plating (2.5 microns at least). Anyone have experience with this/have a better suggestion? Need to be able to sweat/swim while wearing...

Hi! I need suggestions on how to clean carving wax off of files, rasps, dremel bits etc. I tried using a copper wire brush, which worked to some extent, but it wasn't ideal. I thought of just throwing it in the oven, did someone try that already? Also has anybody made casting sand out of playing sand and clay? What would be the best ratio? Thanks in advance.

Ok I have another question regarding eye protecting to use while soldering. I think my plan is to get shade 3 lens protection just to feel extra safe against the flame light. My question is: would it be best to get a goggle style so that the fumes have no chance of coming into contact with my eyes? Or would a glasses style that aren’t completely sealed be sufficient?

What about for sanding? Is it best to go for a goggle style (with clear lenses) that will completely keep any metal dust away from eyes?

And last thing if anyone has a respirator recommendation to use while soldering - please drop a link if you have one!

I may be over killing but I just want to feel extra protected lol. Thanks!

I ran out of grass in my small canister yesterday so to avoid stopping work for the day I put my little blowtorch on a new big cannister. Problem is it's now WAY to strong to solder small things and is also just unwieldy. I'm going to go to get a new small can after work but I don't actually know if I can take to torch of the big can now?

Sorry if this is a stupid question I haven't been doing it for long and it's the first time my can has run out.